Troops of the 65 Battalion of the Nigerian Army have arrested 24 foreign nationals during a raid on a suspected hideout in Epe Local Government Area of Lagos State.
The operation, carried out in collaboration with members of a local vigilante group, followed credible intelligence on the presence of undocumented foreign nationals within the 81 Division’s Area of Responsibility (AOR).
According to a statement issued on Thursday by the Acting Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, 81 Division Nigerian Army, Lieutenant Colonel Musa Yahaya, the troops stormed a secluded fenced compound at Imokun in the Odo-Noforija/Poka axis of Epe, where 24 suspects, 15 males and nine females were apprehended.
The Army said preliminary profiling showed that the suspects are nationals of six West and Central African countries. They include 10 Cameroonians, six Togolese, three Ivorians, three citizens of the Republic of Benin, one Burkinabè and one Guinea-Bissau national.
According to the statement, initial investigations are focused on determining the suspects’ immigration status, reasons for their stay in Nigeria and whether they have any links to criminal activities. Authorities are also working to identify and question the owner of the property where the foreign nationals were found.
The Army disclosed that the suspects were handed over to the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Lagos State Command, on July 16, 2026, for further investigation, profiling and other administrative procedures in line with Nigeria’s immigration laws.
The General Officer Commanding (GOC) 81 Division, Major General Adebayo Babalola, commended the troops for what the Army described as their professionalism and vigilance during the operation.
He also directed personnel to sustain ongoing security operations and intensify efforts to deny criminal elements, illegal immigrants and other security threats freedom of operation within the Division’s Area of Responsibility.
The Army reaffirmed its commitment to working with other security agencies to enhance peace, security and public safety across Lagos and other areas under the 81 Division’s jurisdiction.
